03/24/2026
By Danielle Fretwell

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Environmental Studies Engineering, invites you to attend a Master's Thesis defense by Bhavisha Nandkishor Kini on: "Recovery of Metals from Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs) using Biologically Relevant Organic Acids or Chelates."

Candidate Name: Bhavisha Nandkishor Kini
Degree: Master’s
Defense Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Time: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Southwick 240

Committee:

  • Advisor: Weile Yan, Ph.D., P.E. Associate Professor, Associate Chair for Graduate Environmental Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Xiaoqi (Jackie) Zhang Ph.D., P.E., Department Chair, Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Saifur Rahaman, Ph.D., Visiting Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Brief Abstract:
Recovery of valuable metals from lithium-ion battery (LIB) black mass is essential for developing sustainable battery recycling technologies. This study evaluates the effectiveness of several biologically relevant organic acids for the extraction of lithium, cobalt, and nickel from lithium-ion batteries (LIB) black mass obtained from two commercial recycling sources. Extraction experiments were conducted using citric, malonic, gluconic, succinic, acetic, and oxalic acids and non-ionic ligands such as glycine and catechol at different temperatures and in the presence or absence of hydrogen peroxide. Metal concentrations in the extract solution were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to quantify extraction rates and efficiency. In addition, the morphology and elemental distribution of black mass particles was characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
(SEM-EDX). The results show that organic extractants exhibit three distinctive types of extraction behaviors. Citric, gluconic, and succinic acid demonstrated high extraction efficiencies (>85%) for cobalt, nickel and lithium at elevated temperatures (60 oC) without H2O2. In contrast, acetic, succinic, and tartaric acids showed moderate extraction efficiencies, and the extraction performance was improved with the presence of H2O2. Oxalic, glycine, and catechol demonstrated selective behavior, preferentially extracting lithium while limiting the dissolution of transition metals. These findings highlight the important role of organic acid and chemistry in controlling metal extraction efficiency and selectivity during hydrometallurgical recycling of spent LIB materials.